Mayor Barnett gave a broad infrastructure update that covered the state-led US‑31 project, a $3.7 million 2025 paving and crack-seal program, privately funded roadwork tied to new industrial development and ongoing negotiations with the county over a crosswalk near Commerce and Simon Road by the high school.

Barnett said the US‑31 work is a state of Indiana project and that the city provided input on trails, sidewalks and drainage but did not design the roadway. He described temporary traffic patterns during construction and said he expects the finished project — including new lighting, trails and sidewalks — to be safer and more pedestrian friendly when completed in November.

“We had suggestions. They come back with maybe they took some of our suggestions … and then there were other times they come back and said your suggestion … we're gonna stick with our original plan,” Barnett said. He asked residents to view current lane alignments as temporary until intersections are fully opened.

Barnett said the city budgeted $3.7 million this year for paving and crack sealing and highlighted several large privately paid projects: Malarkey Roofing contributed to Paul Hann Road reconstruction and Essex Drive improvements tied to their site, and Malarkey and other manufacturers are creating new jobs locally. He said the city purchased 40 acres to expand Scott Park for youth sports and expects an initial design soon.

On a safety question about a crosswalk near the Commerce/Simon Road roundabout used by students walking from the high school, Barnett said the road is a county road with no existing right-of-way to accommodate a sidewalk. He said county officials have tried to acquire right-of-way but landowners have declined to sell. Barnett said the city has offered to partner on acquisition if funding is approved by the city council but acknowledged eminent domain (“intimate domain,” in his words) has been discussed and would be politically fraught.

“There isn't [a timeline] … the county knows that's a road that needs to be fixed as well,” Barnett said, adding that the city will attempt to partner with Johnson County if right-of-way can be secured.

Also noted: construction for a Chick‑fil‑A site and an Aldi store are underway; a Commerce Drive stoplight will be installed to serve new development; and Forsyth Street bridge replacement remains a county responsibility.